Contractor Frederick Derr & Company Inc. will fill in sidewalk gaps on the west side of Gulf of Mexico Drive from Quick Point Preserve to Bay Isles Road.

Work began Wednesday from Quick Point Preserve to Longboat Club Road.

The project also calls for an expansion of the northbound right-turn lane at Bay Isles Parkway between Veranda and Islands West condominiums.

A new northbound right-turn lane at Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive is also included as part of the project.

Sidewalk work is expected to be completed in a few weeks, and the entire project has a completion date of September.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa said the town has been working to start this project for years.
Lower construction bids and the use of federal funds to pay for the project, Florensa said, made this the perfect time to start the project.

Darren Alfonso, public information officer for the Florida Department of Transportation project, said concrete would begin to be poured in new sidewalk frames starting Thursday.

No traffic delays are expected as a part of the sidewalk project. And, right-turn-lane extensions being performed next month will only create minor delays, Alfonso said.

Black tarps surrounding drains and draped in front of some properties are meant to keep the drains safe from construction materials during the sidewalk expansion.

Sidewalk gaps will be filled in from 1511 Gulf of Mexico Drive to The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort; from the Colony to just past the Aquarius; from Villa di Lancia to just past The Islander Club; from Vizcaya to Veranda; and from New Pass Bridge to Quick Point Preserve.

Sidewalk modifications will also be constructed near the entrances of The Longboat Key Club and Resort, The Players Club, the Colony, Villa di Lancia, The Islander Club, Vizcaya, Sea Gate and at the Bay Isles Parkway intersection.

Construction activities are permitted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call Alfonso at 813-767-9532 or e-mail him at Darren@valerin-group.com.